Yan Qing took two silent steps back.
Yu Jingchen returned to his seat and did not let Nan Zhiyun sit beside him, instead pulling her into his embrace.
"Why did you come out like this? Aren't you cold?" Yu Jingchen worried she would catch a chill.
"I'm not cold," Nan Zhiyun nestled into his arms, glancing at the people kneeling below. It was Consort Yuan again, but besides her, most of the other concubines in the harem had also come.
"Your Majesty? I heard there's a result from today's matter," Nan Zhiyun said directly.
"Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, a palace maid just found some secret medicine at Consort Yuan's place..." Yan Qing interjected.
"Secret medicine?" Nan Zhiyun did not understand.
"The First Prince's pulse was caused by taking Consort Yuan's medicine, creating that false impression," Yu Jingchen explained. Nan Zhiyun was shocked by this. So, Consort Yuan had staged it all herself?
"Your Majesty, if you believe me, I truly don't know what this medicine is. I am innocent!" Consort Yuan had not yet confessed.
Before Yu Jingchen could speak, someone reported that Princess Changle was seeking an audience.
Why was she here now? Yu Jingchen was somewhat impatient but still said, "Announce her."
Consort Yuan's eyes flickered upon hearing Princess Changle's name. As expected... Yuan Suyuan had also come.
"Greetings to Your Majesty... Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress." Princess Changle bowed first upon entering. Then, she looked at Nan Zhiyun and, despite her reluctance, still offered a bow.
"This servant greets Your Majesty, greets Her Majesty the Empress, and all the noble ladies." Yuan Suyuan followed behind, also bowing with a gentle demeanor. Yan Qing looked at the two below, her emotions seemingly shifting.
"Why are you here today?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"It was Suyuan. She heard Consort Yuan was in trouble and begged this princess to bring her in. I couldn't refuse, but Consort Yuan is after all Suyuan's elder sister. While I couldn't abandon her, especially now that Suyuan is carrying Yun Cheng's child... I had no choice but to come myself," Princess Changle said.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me... This servant was also worried about my sister. I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly. My sister would absolutely not harm her own child, nor would she plot against Her Majesty the Empress!" Yuan Suyuan immediately knelt.
"Is it enough for Consort Yuan to claim innocence and be innocent? Then how should these things be explained? What is the meaning of Consort Yuan kneeling here today with her child in her womb? If Your Majesty condemns Consort Yuan today, will Consort Yuan still kneel here until she dies?" Yan Qing's words were sharp.
"This servant does not mean that. I merely feel there are still doubts about this matter..." Before Yuan Suyuan could finish speaking, Yan Qing interrupted her directly.
"Is Yuan Suyuan implying that His Majesty and I disregard facts and judge without reason? Consort Yuan, you perhaps do not understand your status. Even with Princess Changle here, you are merely a concubine without a formal title. What does it matter that you have a child? Do you truly consider yourself a mistress and believe you hold some standing? Regardless of how you are treated in your estate, this is the imperial palace, this is Yunpeng Hall, and His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress are both here. Therefore, it is not your place to speak out of turn!" Yan Qing seemed provoked.